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SPOTLIGHT

Marcia Thompson: “Unsung Advocate for the Arts”

“Marcia Thompson praised as an “unsung advocate for the arts and humanities” for her work over 30 years at the Ford Foundation, died March 29. We look at her life and work, which “created the framework for unprecedented, nation-wide expansion of professionally and fiscally sound initiatives, notably in the performing arts”.

Opening at Rutgers’ Institute for Women’s Leadership

Attention LAFF Society members: Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., is seeking a director of its Institute for Women’s Leadership.

Newsletter Index

Nellie Toma, LAFF’s secretary-treasurer, has completed the arduous task of indexing every newsletter since the Society’s inception in 1991. As she explains in this letter to all members.

Agent Orange: “Much Remains to be Done”

By Charles Bailey

Charles Bailey, who has led studies at the Ford Foundation and Aspen Institute on lingering effects of the Vietnam War-era chemical Agent Orange, explores what remains to be done so that “a war legacy that for decades was a source of resentment and recrimination can be a compelling example of how we build a better future”.

Reflective Practices: A Path to Better Outcomes

By Jan Jaffe

Jan Jaffe describes the work of a project known as Reflective Practices, which helps practitioners in philanthropy “illuminate strategy, grant-making approaches and the inevitable dilemmas that come with any good work”.

A Beautiful Time For Dancers

George Gelles has published A Beautiful Time for Dancers, a book on dance in America that is available free online.

The Newsletter Is Being Indexed

An index of the LAFF newsletter is being developed, using the names of members that have appeared in each story of each issue.

The Ford Foundation in Russia and Eastern Europe

The Moscow office was closed in 2009 and the East European program has been phased out, but these articles provide intriguing insights into a pivotal period in world history—and that of the Ford Foundation.

The Early Years of The Moscow Office

By Mary McAuley

The Ford Foundation had long supported activities relating to Russia but, in 1991, it established a grant-making program for organizations and institutions working in Russia itself.

Ford in Eastern Europe: Lessons Unlearned

By Irena Grudzinska Gross

After 2004 there was a real change of priorities. Primarily the growth or return of nationalism and disenchantment with “Europe”.

Nurturing Native American Filmmakers

By N. Bird Runningwater

Since moving images were captured on film in the early twentieth century, Native people had been represented in its imagery but rarely had the creative control to write and direct.

The Rise and Fall of “The City at 42nd Street”

By George Gelles

Of the Ford Foundation’s myriad initiatives undertaken through the years, few promised such close-to-home benefits as The City at 42nd Street.

Reunion in Rio

Some former Foundation staff gathered with former grantees at the home of Shep Forman, LAFF’s president, and his wife, Leona, in Rio de Janeiro.

Dianne DeMaria’s Retirement Party

Dianne DeMaria made a lot of friends during 44 years at Ford, and most of them were there to celebrate with her at her retirement party.

Meeting New Challenges

Three articles in this issue by members of The LAFF Society delve into challenges facing foundations in a time of rapid and dramatic change. Through examples of their work, and with suggestions for others, they describe the steps they have taken to confront specific challenges and offer ideas that may help others plot their own futures.

Promoting Diversity in Endowment Assets

By Mary McClymont

Mary McClymont describes how one Foundation is advancing a social justice agenda by pursuing racial and ethnic diversity among asset managers.

The Need to Maximize Investment In the Nonprofit Workforce

By Rusty Stahl

Rusty Stahl urges a greater investment in the training and treatment of nonprofit workers, the “first responders and last bulwark of our democracy”.

The Three Rs (and one H) for Responding to Disasters: Relief, Recovery, Rebuilding and Healing

By Michael Seltzer

Michael Seltzer explores how foundations can work with government, corporations and the public to use their resources to the greatest effect in dealing with the devastation of natural disasters.

Easy and Hard: Developing a Strategic Anti-corruption Presence in the U.S.

By Zoe Reiter. President Donald Trump’s election has been a wake-up call on multiple levels.

Women of Color Group Formed

Bonnie Jenkins is one of the founders of Women of Color Advancing Peace.

The Iran Nuclear Deal: An Interview

Arthur I. Cyr in an interview with the Irani news agency Mehr.

New Book on Impact of Agent Orange in Vietnam

A new book on the lingering effects of the use of Agent Orange/dioxin during the Vietnam war, co-written by Charles Bailey.

News about Former Foundation Staff: 6/2018

6/18/2018

News about Sanford M. Jaffe, Michael Lipsky, Greg Farrell, Elizabeth Alexander, Douglas Wood, and Sally Kohn.

CLIPPINGS

Selection Of Articles Published Elsewhere

Risks and Benefits of the U.S. Speaking Out About Iran

1/4/2018

Gary Sick is interviewed by Robert Siegel of NPR about U.S. policy options on Iran.

Saudi Arabia 'destabilising influence' in Middle East

By Gary Sick | 11/4/2017

...according to Gary Sick, a professor at Columbia University and analyst of Middle East affairs, who is currently visiting Italy.

The Art of No Deal

By Gary Sick | 9/25/2017

President Trump has given the world an instructive look at his negotiating style, as he lurches dangerously through the international china shop.

Former Tulane President Eamon Kelly dies

7/8/2017

Former Tulane President Eamon Michael Kelly died on Wednesday, June 28, at the Tulane Medical Center following complications from surgery. He was 81 years old.

The Iran nuclear deal has been a Middle East game-changer

6/14/2016

By Gary Sick and Frank G. Wisner. Two years ago, a new war in the Middle East appeared very likely. The government of Iran, despite enduring the most severe international sanctions ever imposed on a noncombatant power, insisted on increasing its nuclear program.

Opinion: Robert Curvin, and Leaving the World Better Than the Way You Found It.

By Roland V. Anglin | 10/5/2015

Celebrating and commemorating a man whose accomplishments cannot be contained by any one list.

Iran After the Deal

By Gary Sick | 9/10/2015

What to Do When the JCPOA Expires.

Saudi Arabia's Widening War.

By Gary Sick | 6/8/2015

Obama is trying to make peace with Iran. The new Saudi king is on the course for war.

The Danger of a Failed Iran Deal

By Gary Sick | 3/10/2015

If you want a nuclear Middle East, there’s no better way than to let Tehran walk away.

Now Showing: Brian Mori's Play

2/24/2015

Brian Richard Mori’s celebrated play Hellman v. McCarthy is being performed in Beverly Hills, Calif., at Theatre 40 and the Saban Theatre through Sunday, March 1. Next: Salt Lake City.

A Musical Event with John Koprowski: Five Years That Rocked the World 1964-1969

2/16/2015

A retrospective look at an era which influenced music, culture and history for the next half century.

Men are problem and solution to violence against women, says Breakthrough's founder Mallika Dutt

1/19/2015

In the wake of rising incidents of violence against women across the country, Iamin talked to Mallika Dutt, founder of Breakthrough.

Don't Let Iran Walk Away From the Table

By Gary Sick | 11/21/2014

If the November 24th deadline isn't met, everything could unravel at once.

Brian Mori's play on Channel Thirteen

9/25/2014

Brian Richard Mori's play "Hellman v. McCarthy," will be aired on October 9th and 12th during Channel Thirteen's weekly series, "Theater Close Up".

Strikes on ISIS. Now What?

9/25/2014

Bassma Kodmani contributed to the "Room for Debate" discussion in the New York Times.

National Security Council Veteran Weighs In on Foley, Hostages, and ISIL's Brutality

8/21/2014

The brutal killing of American photojournalist James Wright Foley by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (or Syria) has sparked outrage. With ISIL threatening to kill a second hostage, journalist Steven Soltoff, The Wire spoke with Gary Sick, who served on the National Security Council for President Jimmy Carter.

Four Dimensions of Nuclear Chess Game

By Gary Sick | 5/5/2014

A government negotiating with another government is almost inevitably required to conduct a second negotiation with its own domestic constituents whose own interests will be affected by the outcome.

Coalition Seeks Public's Advice on New York City's Goals

11/11/2013

As Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio prepares to succeed Michael R. Bloomberg, a coalition of leading foundations will unveil an ambitious citywide effort to enlist regular New Yorkers in sharing their views about the city’s future.

Ubinas Reflects on Six Years as President of the Ford Foundation

8/6/2013

In a wide-ranging interview with Rahim Kanani of the Skoll World Forum, Ubiñas reflects on his tenure at the foundation, the state of philanthropy today, measuring and evaluating long-term progress, critical lessons in leadership, and much more.

After a Gay Rights Victory, A New Challenge for Grant Makers

By Michael Seltzer | 7/12/2013

The Supreme Court found that the Defense of Marriage Act violates the constitution of the United States and that marriage equality is the law in those states where same-sex marriage is legal. It’s also time for philanthropy to reflect on its power to further social justice

Warren Wilson president is down-to-earth guy

4/26/2013

For those of us whose leanings are toward gentler disciplines such as literature and philosophy, a quick perusal of Warren Wilson College President Steve Solnick’s curriculum vitae might invite a touch of academic intimidation.

Reminiscences on a grantee-grantor relationship

By Rosalia Maria Emanuela Sciortino | 1/16/2013

When one reaches a certain age – as in my case – there is a tendency to look back and reflect on one’s experiences, including the transformations in one’s own career landscape over time. In the more than 20 years of working with international philanthropic and development organisations of a grant-making nature in Southeast Asia, I have seen many ideologies and trends emerge and wane.